Harriet r



(No Model.)

H. R. TRACY. PIRE ESCAPE.

Patented Peb. 13, 1883.

N, FLTERS Phnm-limugmphen wmmgwn, u. c.

l y UNITED STATES ATENT EEreE.

HAREIET n. francy, on New YORK, N. Y.

Fl RE-ESCAPE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 272,108, dated February 13, 1883.

Application filed J une 30, 1882.

To all whom it 'may concern Beit known that 1, HARRIET R. TRACY, of the city, county, and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fire-Escapes, of which the following is a clear, full, and exact description of the same, reference -being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the referenceletters marked thereon.

The object of my invention is to produce a simple, cheap, durable, compact, and efficient l lire-escape ladder, which may be folded into a small compass, be easily and readily dropped into position for use, and which will afford a protected and fire-proof stairway upon whichv persons may enter and descend conveniently, and without danger or accident, also aftordin g at the same time suitable means for enabling firemento reach the upper stories ofthe burning building without interfering with the descent of persons.

My invention consists in the use of a flexible lire-proof trough provided with interior and exterior steps, which also serve as braces.

Referring to the drawings, Figure I is a sectional elevation of a building, showing my improved iire-escape attached to one story of a building and thrown out for use also showing, again, my improved fire-escape attached to another story ot' building, foldedup ready for use. Fig. Il is a detached sectional view of my improved ire-escape. Fig. III is a view showing my improved nre escape attached to a portable box to ,enable it to be carried from place to place 5 Fig. 1V, detached front view of the escape.

A represents an aperture in the wall of a building, B', of sufficient size to accommodate the fire-escape when folded up. 'lhis aperture is intended to be furnished with an outside door or shutter of iron, B, and an inside door, C. The outside door is preferably hinged at 'the bottom, so that when released from the in- (No model.)

end of flexible canvas D, in any suitable manner. The sides of the canvas are supported by a number of metallic strips, E., hinged one to the other. The number of these metallic strips correspond with the number of steps required to reach the ground, for these strips, so 'placed against the canvas, cause the same to shape itself into steps G of convenient size, and accessible from the interior of said canvas, which is formed into a trough-shape. (See Figsll and 1V.) Along the upper edges, c e, of the canvas trough is fastened a number of cross-bars, F, which serve to hold the trough open, and at the same time act as an outer ladder for flremen to ascend. These crossbars may be fastened to the trough in any other suitable manner. These cross-pieces F also serve as hand-pieces for persons descending the steps G. If so desired, the bottom of the steps G may be provided with crossbars to present a rmer bottom to step upon.

When the escape is not in use it is folded up and placed in the aperture A, (see Fig. I

Y at P,) or within the portable-box G. (See Fig.

III.) The object of placing the escape within said box isthat it can be moved from room to room. box G it is provided with a rod at one end, by which it is fastened to the window-casing, as the escape is always thrown out of the window when not fastened into an aperture, A, in the wall of a building.

To use my fire-escape it is only necessary to open the inner door of the aperture, unlatch the outer door, and thrust the top of the pile ont.' lPersons below will take hold ofthe bottom ropes, H, fastened to the lower end of the canvas trough D and draw the escape from the building and make it assume a proper inclination to enable persons to descend. The canvas portion of the escape will be coated or saturated with any of the usual fireproong compounds.

By constructing a tire-escape as above described greater safety is obtained, for the persons descending are prevented from falling by' When the escape is placed Within the l IGO.

anal stay-ropes H,in combination with buildingwith steps Gr, substantially as and for the purpose set forth. canvas trough D, provided with steps G, me-

2. The flexible fire-proof canvas trough D, tallic stripsE,cross-pieces Rund stay-ropes H, with steps G, in combination with metallic secured to aperture A, provided with outside strips E and cross-pieces F, substantially as and insidedoors, or to Window-casing, suband focll1 the purpose set forth. D stantially as and for the purpose set forth.

3. he flexible re-proof canvas trough f i with steps G, metallic strips E, cross-pieces F, HARRIET R' TRALY' 4. In a. fire-escape, the flexible fire-proof Witnesses:

W. IRVING JENNINGS, I EMORY A. CHASE.

aperture A, or movable or portable box G', substantia-lly as and for the purpose set forth. 

